Airfix

Airfix is a UK manufacturer of plastic model aircraft and other kits. In Britain, the name Airfix is synonymous with the hobby, a plastic model of this type is often simply referred to as "an airfix" even if made by another manufacturer. Nowadays the Airfix brand is a subsidiary of Humbrol Ltd.

Airfix was founded in 1939 by a Hungarian businessman called Nicholas Kove, initially manufacturing rubber inflatable toys. The brand name Airfix was selected to be the first alphabetically in any toy catalogue. Due to the war the company didn't start to grow until 1948, when it was commissioned to create a model of the Ferguson tractor. This model, manufactured in kit form, was a success and led the company to produce new kit designs, starting with model ships such as Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind. The first aircraft kit was designed in 1953, a model of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. 1, in 1/72 scale. This kit went on to become the single biggest selling aircraft kit ever made.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the company expanded greatly as the kit modelling hobby grew enormously. The Airfix range expanded to include cars, trucks and ships as well as an ever-increasing range of aircraft. Most kits were created at the "standard" scale of 1/72 for small aircraft and military aircraft, and 1/144 scale for airliners. In the mid 1970s, larger scales were introduced, including the dramatic 1/24 scale models of the Spitfire and Hurricane and Harrier "jump-jet", which featured incredible detailing at this scale. All the kits were manufactured using injection moulding of polystyrene. The growth of the hobby launched a number of competitors in the field, such as Matchbox, as well as introducing new manufacturers from Japan and the US to the UK. During this period the company Humbrol also grew, supplying the paints, brushes, glue and other accessories for the finishing of the kits. Airfix themselves also published an annual and a monthly magazine, Airfix magazine, supporting the hobby.

In the 1980s, the plastic kit modelling hobby went into a rapid decline. Some think this was due to the rise of computer games, others that new manufacturing techniques such as precision diecasting took away the market for toys, where a person was less interested in the construction and finishing of a model, but simply wanted to play with the finished product. During this period many kit manufacturers suffered from this decline, and Airfix was no exception. At one point it looked as if they might go out of business altogether, but eventually they were bought by Humbrol in 1986. This was a logical merger, since the companies had hitherto largely depended on one another. While the hobby declined from its 70s heyday, it still has a significant following to this day.

In 2003, Airfix celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first aircraft kit, the Mk 1. Spitfire, which is still available in the product range, albeit with revised and improved tooling.

Model railways

From 1975 to 1981, Airfix also manufactured a line of ready-to-run (i.e. non-kit) model railway stock in OO gauge (1/76 scale). These models were based on British prototypes and at the time of introduction, they represented a significant improvement in detailing and prototype accuracy compared to British outline model railway stock from other British ready-to-run manufacturers such as Hornby. The product range expanded fairly rapidly in the first few years. A model of a Great Western Railway (GWR) 0-4-2 autotank steam locomotive and GWR autocoach are amongst some of the many memorable and important product releases. Airfix also offered an analogue electronics-based multiple train control system (MTC) allowing independent control of multiple locomotives on the same track.

The brand label was changed to Great Model Railways (GMR) in 1979, although the Airfix name was still included. However, Airfix left the model railway business in 1981. The models were sold to one of its main competitors, Palitoy who produced the Mainline range of products. The vast part of the moulds were later re-sold to Dapol Ltd. while some were sold to Hornby. Dapol continues to produce most of the kits but as the moulds (some now over forty years old) wear out the kits are being discontinued.

A monthly magazine, Model Trains, was published by Airfix from January 1980. The magazine included especially good articles aimed at newcomers to the hobby and also included many articles about modelling US and Continental European railways, as well British prototype railways. The publication of Model Trains continued for some years after Airfix ceased ownership in 1981.

External links

• The official Airfix website (http://www.airfix.com)